Batten Pledges $1.5 Million To Troubled Va. College

A local philanthropist with ties to The Virginian-Pilot has pledged up to $1.5 million to aid a financially troubled, historically black private college in Southside Virginia.

The recipient of Jane Batten's generosity is Saint Paul's College, a Brunswick County institution in the midst of transition that recently brought on a new leader to help guide it and enhance fundraising efforts.

Batten's commitment to the school includes a challenge grant through the Batten Educational Achievement Fund worth as much as $500,000 in matching money that can be spent as Saint Paul's officials see fit.

Batten also established a $1 million endowment to support a program geared toward assisting single parents pursuing college degrees. Both funds are part of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.